Even here in the southernmost state, blues music is a rare yet sacred art form. It’s not necessarily dying, but classic hole-in-the-wall joints have been steadily disappearing.
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So, how did Louisiana-native Kenny Wayne Shepherd respond when B.B. King told the then-under-30 guitarist that he had "a lot of weight on his shoulders" to keep blues music alive? With the grace of a legend.
"At a young age when I stepped up to play guitar in the spotlight, I did that hoping to make a contribution to the blues," says Shepherd without the slightest hint of hesitation. Does he realize he stands on the shoulders of giants?
He claims to not even notice the pressure. And it makes sense. He’s too busy rebuilding muscle cars and taking them on cross-country road trips to worry about his legacy. "No interstates, only back roads, only small towns." Plus, raising three kids with his wife in California keeps him plenty occupied.
With seven #1 albums, a Stratocaster guitar series in his name, and a rap sheet featuring the biggest names in both rock and blues, being young and successful clearly has its perks.
But blues isn’t your typical popular music. Blues requires a kind of raw elegance that comes with age and wisdom and disappointment–something Shepherd admittedly has not experienced–not money and beauty and success like most genres. So how does he do it?
"I don’t want anything new to influence what I’m creating. I listen to the old classic stuff that inspired me as a kid. I just got done listening to Bo Diddley’s 50th anniversary record called "The Chess". People don’t always associate him with the blues, but he’s got such a great sound."
Maybe that old saying, "Garbage in, garbage out" is true. If you’re constantly surrounding yourself with greatness, greatness will follow.
"You have to keep your eyes and ears open and absorb everything that you can about life. Be as involved as you possibly can. Be eager to learn from people. That’s helped me more than anything."
By now, Shepherd has fully embraced his own wisdom and has no plans of derailing anytime soon.
"My career’s going on 20 years and I’m only 35-years-old, but I’m very excited about what lies ahead. For some reason, when you hit your thirties, people stop looking at you like you’re a child and treat you like a bonafide adult. Something changed when I got into my thirties."
Like a hungry-eyed feline just hitting his prime, Shepherd’s talent and passion for the blues seems to evolve over a matter of months, not years or even decades.
"We make records so we can bring them to the fans, and I’m really determined to improve as a songwriter, artist, producer and musician. Next week, we’re going into the studio and starting a new record. We want to give our fans new material on a quicker basis– maybe one album every year or year and a half at the latest. We’ve got some cool ideas and want to try new and different things."
So what’s Shepherd’s definition of a legend? "Someone who has left an undeniable mark on what they do," he replies. Before asking if that definition describes himself, it seemed more blues-appropriate to wait and see what the next few decades hold. He already knows he’s teetering on the edge of greatness, and it doesn’t seem to affect him one bit.
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For your chance to see Kenny Wayne Shepherd perform live at the Palladium (253 5th Ave. N.) in St. Pete on Wednesday, August 29, at 8pm, simply answer the question below and the 10th person to submit the correct answer will WIN a pair of tickets FREE courtesy of the Mahaffey Theater!
You can also purchase your tickets here or at the venue.
Question: What is the title of Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s most recent album?
Answer: How I Go
Contest closed. Congrats to our winner who has been notified via email. If you didn’t win, tickets are still available for purchase. See you there!
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